Dunfermline: Kane Ritchie-Hosler aims for comeback all-clear

The 21-year-old is due to travel to Ross Hall Hospital, in Glasgow, hoping to be given the all-clear to play matches after four months on the sidelines.

Former Manchester City youngster Ritchie-Hosler has been hit by three serious injuries this season, all of which have required surgery.

After sustaining an ankle problem in pre-season, he then suffered a knee issue after making his first competitive appearance of the season in September, before sustaining a dislocated shoulder in a game with in late November.

Ritchie-Hosler's last appearance came against Arbroath in late November. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Last month, Pars boss, James McPake, said that the talented winger was "looking great", but "just cannot bump into anybody yet" whilst being involved in as much training activity as is possible.

Speaking to the club's website, Ritchie-Hosler explained: "I have been training for the past few weeks now, non-contact stuff, but I’m feeling good.

"I'm feeling sharp and enjoying it. One benefit has been extra recovery time for my knee and my ankle. I’d rather not have had all this but it is good, everything down there is better and I’m just looking forward to getting back.

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"This season has been a rollercoaster for me. I have had days when I have been down, I have tried to pick myself up and the team, the gaffer and all the staff have supported me throughout. It has been a tough time for me but my family has been there throughout it. Hopefully none of that again and I can kick on and help the team through the latter stages of the season."

Ritchie-Hosler, who joined the club permanently from Rangers last summer after a successful loan spell during Athletic's League One title-winning campaign, has endured the longest period on the sidelines of his career so far.

He took some time out to visit family back in Manchester, but has since done a lot of gym work to help regain fitness, and been at matches backing his team-mates.

"Obviously I’ve been supporting them but it is frustrating for me not being out there," he continued.

"I have just been wishing that I could be involved. There is not much I can do from the stands but I’m shouting encouragement and I just want to be back out there playing.

"It has been a mad season for injuries, you just couldn’t believe how many we have had. It has been tough but the boys have done well and we are in a better position now than we have been.

"Everyone is coming back so we are going to have a stronger squad that will hopefully push us on for the latter stages of the season. When everyone is back fit I think it is a really good squad."